2022 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena, USA (750ml)

WINEMAKER NOTES:

The 2022 shows poise with vibrant acidity fresh blackberries, raspberry compote, cranberry skins, and dried rose petals. Striking minerality lays the base for cardamom, dried herbs, warm cedar, and iron-driven earth. Young tannins allow a midline drive and hint at future power. Delightful now, this holds gripping potential.

Blend: 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec

TASTING NOTES:

The five Bordeaux grapes from organically farmed, family-owned vineyards across Napa Valley form the foundation for this elegant red; aged 20 months in mostly French oak, it's reminiscent of Saint-Estèphe in style. With a surge of iron minerality and notes of tart red cherry,. rooibos tea, and toasted cedar, it's an Earth Mother that's generous in its breadth and depth of flavor. The tannins are present and demonstrate the wine's youthfulness, but its structure and character are undeniable.

- Tasting Panel, 95 pts. 

The 2022 Lyndenhurst from Spottswoode was aged 20 months in 48% new French oak, blending fruit from the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard with selections from Carneros, Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, and St. Helena. The Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend is rounded out by 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Ripe black cherry, leather, liquorice, and cedarwood leap from the glass, while super-suave tannins are neatly stacked, providing structure and finesse. Savoury dried violets intertwine with black olive and cherry pit, leading to a long, bright finish infused with blood orange acidity—a harmonious and refined expression with depth and energy.

- Decanter, 93 pts. 

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is characterized on the nose by ripe cherries, hints of cedar and dried spices. A blend of all five Bordeaux varieties, aged in approximately 50% new French oak, it's medium- to full-bodied, silky and plush. Already very drinkable but not flaccid, this shows lovely shape and delineation on the palate, reinforced by silky, fine-grained tannins on the finish.

-  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 pts. 

The second wine of this flagship estate, the 2022 Lyndenhurst has beautiful darker currants, spicy wood, cedar, and tobacco-like nuances to go with a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant style on the palate. It’s drinking nicely today yet should evolve gracefully over the coming decade.

- Jeb Dunnuck, 92 pts. 

Very fruity and generous, bursting with cherries, blackberries and raspberries on the nose, and creamy blueberries and strawberries on the palate. Toast, cedar and savory nuances come out with more sips. Full-bodied, long and rich. Rather soft tannins. Drink or hold. 

- James Suckling, 92 pts. 

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is a very classy wine. Silky and aromatic, this is all finesse. Sweet floral top notes meld into spice, rose petal, lavender and new leather. More than anything else, the 2022 impresses with its gracious personality. This is a very pretty and complete Lyndenhurst. The blend is approximately 60% purchased and 40% estate fruit. One of the recent developments here has been the addition of sites in cooler regions such as Howell Mountain and Oak Knoll that ripen later and are therefore somewhat protected from the heat. That paid off significantly in 2022.

- Vinous, 92 pts.